Operating and locking means for sectional sliding doors.



H. G. VOIGHT.

OPERATING AND LOCKING MEANS FOR SEGTIONAL SLIDING DOORS.

APILIOATION FILED FIIB.19, 1914.

1,097,606. Patented May 19, 1914.

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G. WIGHT.

- JPERATING AND LOCKING MEANS FOR SBGTIONAL SLIDING DOORS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. '19, 1914.

1 O97,606. Patented May 19,1914.

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- H. G. VOIGHT.

OPERATING AND LOCKING MEANS FOR SEGTIONAL SLIDING DOORS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1914- 1,,O97,606, Patented May 19, 1914.

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HENRY G. VOIGHT, DIE NEW' BRITAIN, CUNNEGTICUT.

OPERATING AND LOCKING lVEEANS F013, SECTIONAL SLIDING DOORS.

Application filed February 19, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, HENRY G. Voioirr, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Britain, Hartford county, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ()perating and Locking Means for Eectional Sliding Doors, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact de scription.

The present invention relates to improved form of operating means for a plu ality of complemental sliding door sections of the general type illustrated in my prior Patout No. 1,085,072 dated January 20th, 1914i, and aims to provide a simple and efficient means for moving the different door sections rcarwardly and forwardly at differential speeds so that they will reach fully opened and fully closed positions substantially simultaneously.

A preferable embodiment of my invention is described in detail in the following specificat'ion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and illus rating such a preferable part of the invention.

in these drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a multiple section sliding door equipped with the operating means of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the operating part shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation showing the locking means for the toggle, and its associated parts in operative locking position. Fig. t is a similar view showing the locking means moved to unlocking posi tion together with its cooperating parts. Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation showing the operating handle, toggle, and sliding connection to the intermediate door section in door opened position.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a door casing, such for instance, that of an elevator well, and 2, 3 and a represent the complemental sections of a three section sliding door structure. Secured to any suitable abutment stationary relative to the door sections, such for instance as the inner face of the door casing 1, is a supporting bracket structure 5 provided with arms between which is journaled a rock shaft 6. To the rear edge of the intermediate door section 3, spaced brackets 7 are secured, these brackets serving to support and hold a vertically extending guide rod 8. This guide rod forms part of the sliding connection between the intermediate section and the oper- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ll-fay 19, 1914.

Serial No. 819,616.

ating means therefor. A id-shaped housing 9 is provided, adapted to guide therein the rod 8 and provided at its forward edge with a plurality of anti-friction rollers 10 whose peripheries are of a curvature correspond ing substantially with the periphery of the guide rod 8, these rollers engaging the guide rod and holding the same between their peripheries and the rear of the housing 9. This housing is provided with a laterally offset portion 11 whose outer end terminates in a pivot stud. On this offset and adjacent the inner end thereof as at 12, is pivoted a latch member having an inner arm 13 with a lower hooked end and having a forwardly and downwardly extending portion 3 A leaf spring 1% having one end secured to the housing 9 bears against this latching arm adjacent its pivotal point and normally tends to throw its hooked end inwardly, so that when. the housing 9 is at its lowermost position on the rod 8 and rests upon. the lower bracket 7, the lower hooked end of the latch 13 will snap over and under the lower bracket 7 to detachably lock the housing thereto.

tln the outer end of the pivot stud 11 is journaled the forward end 15 of an operating arm 16 whose rear end is rigidly connected by means of the arm 17 with the rock shaft 6. The forward end 15 of this arm adjacent its pivotal point is itself provided with a pivot stud lo on which is journaled the end connection 18 of a second operating arm 19, the forward end of this arm 19 being pivotally connected to the forward door section 2 preferably adjacent its forward edge as at 20. The two arms 16 and 19 constitute, in effect, a toggle having one end pivotally connected to an abutment stationary relative to the door sections, and having the other end pivotally connected to the forward door section so that the toggle will swing with the opening and closing of the door. The end fitting 15, carrier 9 and guide rod 8 together with the other coiiperating parts provide asliding connection between this toggle and intermediate door section, so that movement of the toggle operates upon the forward door section and the intermediate door section to move said sections toward and from closed position. The rate of movement of these two door sections is different as will be evident from the leverage afforded thereagainst by the connections of the toggle thereto. It will be evident that the forward.

door section 2 moves toward open and closed positions at a greater speed than the intermediate door section 3 which carries the bracket 7.

I provide an operating handle for moving the door section to open position, which operating handle is designed to release the latch 15 preparatory to opening the door. To this end I pivot on the forward arm 19 of the toggle, an operating handle 21 having its end bent and extending in line with its arm 19. To this end I rigidly secure an extension 22 having therein adjacent its rear end a curved elongated slot 23. A stud 1% carried by the arm 19 extends through this slot and limits the movement of the handle 21 relative to the arm 19 of the toggle. The rear end of the extension 22 of the handle is positioned, wien the door is closed, closely adjacent the lower edge of the forward err-- tension 18 of the latch 13 so that when the handle 21 is moved relative to the toggle by means of its slotted connection with arm 19, the end of extension 22 will engage with the lower edge of the latch 13 and will swing its hooked latching end outwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. By this time the stud 2% will have stopped further movement of the handle 21 relative to the toggle, so that further pull on the handle operates directly against the tog gle and against the door sections, the toggle swinging upwardly, the housing 9 and rollers 10 carried by the end of arm 16 of the toggle riding upwardly upon the guide rod 8, inasmuch as the latch 13 has been moved to inoperative position.

The third and rear door section 4 is connected to the rock shaft 6 by means of the arm 25 rigidly secured to the rock shaft and forming the rear end of an operating arm 26 for the rear door section. This rear arm 26 may be operatively connected to this rear door section by a second arm 27 pivotally connected thereto and to said rear door sec tion adjacent its forward edge, these two arms themselves constituting a toggle hav ing an opening and closing leverage against the rear door section calculated to move said section at less speed than either of the two sections 2 and 3 and at such speed relative thereto as to reach fully opened and fully closed positions substantially simultaneously with these forward door sections.

I prefer to provide closing mechanism which will automatically return the door sections to closed position when the handle 21 has been released after the door sections have been moved to open position. One form of mechanism may comprise an arm 28 rigidly connected to the rock shaft 6 and having a depending transverse extension 29 to which is pivotally connected the piston rod 30 of a power closer cylinder 31. The specific construction of this closer cylinder is immaterial as far as the present invention is concerned, one construction being illustrated in my prior patent hereinbefore referred to. This closing mechanism embodies a piston and a spring operating against the piston and normally tending to swing the rock shaft in a direction to move the door section toward closed position.

Operation: lVith the parts of the door as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the operator grasps the handle 21 pulling the same in door opening direction so that the end of extension 22 will engage with the forward end of the latch 13 to move said latch to inoperative position. At this point the relative free movement of the handle will have stopped and further pull will operate directly against the door sections and against the toggle 1619, swinging said toggle upwardly and inwardly and rocking the shaft 6. This rocking the shaft 6 will move the rear door section l toward open position through the connections 2527, and all three door sections will reach fully open position substantially simultaneously these sections moving rearwardly at different speeds owing to the difierential leverage secured and the power spring of the closing mechanism being tensioned by such movement. lVhen the operator wishes to close the door the handle 21 is released and the power of the tension spring in the closing mechanism operates against arm 28 to swing the rock shaft 6 in the reverse direction, this movement of the rock shaft swinging the two toggles 1619 and 2627 to slide the door sections 2, 3 and 4 outwardly in door closing direction and at difierent speeds, so that these sections will reach their respective door closed positions substantially simultaneously. The anti-friction connection with the intermediate door section formed by the housing 9 and rollers 10 will slide downwardly upon the guide rod 8 and, as the door sections reach fully closed position, the hooked lower end of the latch 13 will snap over the lower bracket 7 and will lock the toggle 1619, and therefore the rock shaft 6 against movement until the operating handle has been moved to release the latch 13 as hereinbefore described. As the rock shaft 6 is locked against door opening oscillation through the locking of the toggle 1619, it will be evident that the rear door section a: is locked against opening movem nt also, inasmuch as it also is moved to open position through the movement of the rock shaft 6 and can only move when said rock shaft moves.

The door sections are shown herein only diagrammatically, but it will be understood that they may be of any standard construction.

I have herein described a specific embodiment of the invention, but desire it understood that chan e in structure and in the nooacoc relative arran ement oi the parts 1119f be 29 had within the spirit of the invention and the scope oi the appended claims.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Operating means for multiple section sliding doors comprising in combination with a plurality of cemplemental door sections, and a relatively stationary abutment, a toggle ha .*in,a' its opposite ends pivotally connected to said stationary abutment and to a. forward door section respectively, sliding connections between said toggle and an intermediate door section, means :tor locking; said toggle positioned upon the closing; of the door to lock said toggle againsdoor opening movement, an operating handle carried by said toggle having a limited free movement relative to said door sections and toggle and arranged to move said to u'le locking means to release said toggle and to move said door sections to opened position.

2. Operating means for multiple :tion sliding doors comprising; in combination with a plurality of complemental door sections, and. a relatively stationary abutment, a toggle having; its opposite ends pivotally connected to said. stationary abutment and to a forward door section respectively, sliding connections between said toggle and an intermediate door section, means for lochingr said toggle associated witl said sliding connection and positioned upon the closing of the door to cooperate with said intermediate door section to lock said toggle against door opening; movement, an operating}; ha dle carried by said toggle having a limited free movement relative to said door sections and toggle and arranged to move said toggle locking means to release said toggle and to subsequently move said toggle in direction to move said door sections to opened position.

3. @perating means for multiple section slidii'ip; doors comprising in combination with a plurality of eoinplcnien'al door sections, and a relatively stationary abutment, a toggle having its opposite ends pivotally connected to said stationary abutment and to a forward door section respectively, slidnip; connections between said toggle and an intermediate door section, means positioned upon the closing of the door to locl; said toggle against door opening}; movement, an operating handle carried by said tcggpgle having a limited free movement relative to said door sections and toggle and arranged to move said toggle locking means to release said toggle and to subsequently move said in adirection to move said door sections to opened position, and closing mecha nism in operative connection with said toge and normally tendinp; to move same in a direction to move said. door section to closed position.

4t. Operating; means for multiple section sliding doors comprising in combination with a 'ilurality of sliding door sections and a. relatively stationary abutment, a rock sha'l t supported by said abutment, two pivotally interconnected arms forming a tontilt, one on d of said toggle being rigidly connected to and swinging with said reel; shaft and the other end of paid toggle being pivotally connected to the forward door section, said toggle at a point intermediate its ends u a," 11 1'ovided with a sliding connection with an intermediate door section, means positioned upon the closing ol the door to lock said tooq'le against door openino movein-ent, an operating handle carried oy said toggle having a limited free movementrelative to said door sections and toggle, and arranged to move saitl toggle locking means to release said too u'le and to subsequently move said toggle in a dirce i .n to move said door sections to opened position, and an arm rhridly eonnectt l to and swinging with said reel; shaft and operatively connected with a rear door section to move said rear section to fully opened and fully closed pos'sitions substantially simultanemisly with said top;- nle operated door sections.

Operating means for multiple section sliding doors comprising in combination with a plurality oi sliding; door sections and a relatively stationary abutment, a rock sha'i t supported by said abutment, two pivotally intereonnectcd arms forming a toggle, one end oi said tou'gle being rigidly connected to and swinging with said roclr shalt and the other end oi said toggle being pivotally connected to the forward door section, said toggle at a point intermediate its ends being; provided with a sliding connection with an intermediate door section, said sliding connection and its door section being )rovided with cooperating latching means positionial and cooperating; upon the closing of the door to lock said toggle against door opening: movement, an operating handle carried by said toggle having a limited free movement relative to said door and toggle and arranged to move said toggle latching means to release said toggi e and to subsequently move said toggle and rock shaft to slide said door sections to opened position.

@perating means for multiple section sliding doors comprising in combination with a plurality of sliding door sections and a relatively stationary abutment, a rock shatt supported by said abutment, two pivotally interconnected arms forming a top;- gle, one end of said toggle being rigidly connected to and swinging with said rock shaft and the other end of said toggle lJtllll pivotally coimected to the forward door section, said toggle at a point intermediate its ends being provided with a sliding connection with an intermediate door section, said sliding connection and its door sections being provided with cooperating latching means positioned and cooperating upon the closing of the door to lock said toggle against door opening movement, an operating handle carried by said toggle having a limited free movement relative to said door and toggle and arranged to move said toggle latching means to release said toggle and to subsequently move said toggle and rock shaft to slide said door sections to opened position, and closing mechanism operatively connected with said rock shaft and normally tending to rock said shaft in a direction to swing said tog 'le and said arm in door closing direction.

7. Operating means for multiple section sliding doors comprising in combination with a plurality of complemental sliding door sections and a relatively stationary abutment, a rock shaft supported by said abutment, a toggle having one end rigidly connected to said rock shaft and the other end of the forward door section respectively, a guide member carried by an intermediate door section and provided with a locking abutment thereon, a sliding antifriction connection between said toggle intermediate its ends and said guide, said connection including a latch arranged to cooperate with said locking abutment to lock said connection and its toggle and rock shaft against movement when the tog gle and door sections are in substantially fully closed position, an arm rigidly connected to said rock shaft and in operative connection with the rear door section to move said section to fully opened and fully closed positions substantially smultaneously with said toggle operated sections, an operating handle carried by said toggle having a limited free movement relative to said door and toggle and arranged to cooperate with and move said toggle latching means to release said toggle and rock shaft and to subsequently move said toggle and rock shaft in a direction to slide said door sections to opened position.

8. Operating means for multiple section sliding doors comprising in combination with plurality of complemental sliding door sections and a relatively stationary abutment, a rock shaft supported by said abutment, a toggle having one end rigidly connected to said rock shaft and the other end to the forward door section respectively, aguide member carried by an intermediate door section and provided with a locking abutment thereon, a sliding anti-friction connection between said toggle intermediate its ends and said guide, said connection including a latch arranged to cooperate with said locking abutment to lock said connection and its toggle and rock shaft against movement when the toggle and door sections are in substantially fully closed position, an arm rigidly connected to said rock shaft and in operative connection with the rear door section to move said section to fully opened and fully closed positions substantially simultaneously with said toggle operated sections, an operating handle carried by said toggle having a limited free movement relative to said door and toggle and arranged to cooperate with and move said toggle latching means to release said toggle and rock shaft and to subsequently move said toggle and rock shaft in a direction to slide said door sections to opened position, and closing mechanism operatively connected with said rock shaft and normally tending to rock said shaft in a cirection to swing said toggle and said arm in door closing direction.

llE-NRY G. V01 GET.

Witnesses Gwnnoonmn A. JACKSON, GIL-is. E. RUSSELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

